Ring setting machine



Fell 2, 1954 E. F. BUENGER E-r AL 2,667,797

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Patented Feb. 2, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RING SETTING MACHINE sachusetts Application January 30, 1948, Serial No. 5,318

24 Claims. (Cl. 723-48) This invention relates to a ring setting machine for securing the sheet holding rings in the prong plate of a loose leaf binder.

It is an object of this invention to provide automatic means for feeding rings from a hopper on to an aligning tube, moving the rings on the tube into position under a punch press for securernent to a prong plate, and returning to the hopper the rings not properly aligned for the ring setting operation. It is a. further object of this invention to separate one ring from the column of aligned rings on the aligning tube, to successively position selected rings in a punch press, and to individually set the rings in a prong plate. It is a further object of this invention to provide a punch press with gage means to facilitate proper initial positioning of a prong plate in a punch press for securement of one ring to said prong plate, and separate gage means cooperating with a previously set ring for positioning said prong plate for successive ring setting operations. It is a further object of this invention to provide a continuous process of feeding rings, aligning them for subsequent operations, and returning improperly aligned rings to the initial feeding position for subsequent alignment. Other objects of this invention will become apparent upon reading the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is an end elevation of a ring setting machine embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a prong plate with the ring sections secured thereto;

Figure 3 is a front elevation of one of the ring sections;

Figure 4 is a side elevation of one of the ring I sections;

Figure 5 is a front elevation of the ring setting machine;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary top plan view showing the conveyor for returning to the hopper the rings not properly aligned for positioning under the punch press;

Figure 7 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 1 1 of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 8 8 of Figure 5;

Figure 9 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 9 9 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary top plan view of the feeding chute and the adjacent portion of the aligning tube;

Figure 1l is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line iI-Il of Figure 10; Figures 12, 13, 14 and 15 are cross sectional ill views taken along the lines I2-i2. l3-I 3, lll-i4. and |5-i5, respectively, of Figure 10, showing the progressive adjustment of ring sections as they move towards the punch press, the ring sections in Figures 12 and 14 being improperly aligned for positioning under the punch press and the ring sections in Figures 13 and 15 being properly aligned;

Figure 16 is a fragmentary top plan View of the punch press and the adjacent portion of the aligning tube;

Figure 17 is a front elevation of the structure shown in Figure 16;

Figure 18 is a cross sectional view taken along the line lil-IB of Figure 17;

Figure 19 is a fragmentary perspective view of the same portion of the machine shown in Figure 1B, with parts broken away to facilitate the illustration;

Figure 20 is a cross sectional view through the punch press showing the punch press just before the ring setting operation;

Figure 21 is a view, similar to Figure 20, showing the punch press at the finish of the ring setting operation;

Figure 22 is a cross sectional View taken along the line 22-22 of Figure 20;

Figure 23 is a cross sectional view, similar to Figure 22, showing the position of the parts after the ring separated from the column of rings has moved to its next position;

Figure 24 is a fragmentary perspective view of the separator blade, and the parts adjacent the end of the aligning tube, in disasscciated position, to show the structure of the mechanism for separating the end ring from the column;

Figure 25 is a fragmentary end View of the end of the aligning tube and associated structure when the parts are in the position shown in Figure 22;

Figure 26 is a view, similar to Figure 25, showing the parts in the position indicated in Figure 23;

Figure 27 is a detail perspective view of the ring positioning mechanism;

Figure 28 is a detail perspective view of the setting die;

Figure 29 is a front elevation of the positioning mechanism showing one ring immediately after it has dropped to the bottom of the recess;

Figure 30 is a view, similar to Figure 29, showing the ring moved laterally to a position in front of the positioning blade;

Figure 31 is a top plan view of the punch press.

with parts broken away to show the gage mechanism;

Figure 32 is a fragmentary top plan view of the gage just after the succeeding ring has been set in th'epl'ong plate; l y

Figure 33 is a view similar to Figure 32, showlng the relative positions of the previously set ring and the gage at the next operational step, beyond that shown in Figure 32, when the prong plate ls ready to be moved laterally to its h-kt position;

Figure 34 is a side elevation of the gage engaged by a previously set ring to position th prong plate for a subsequent Aring setting "opra-v tion on the next succeeding ring, th' position o the parts being that shown in dotted lines in Figure 3l; Y.

Figure 35 is a view similar to Figure 34, with the parts in the positions indicated in Figure 321 Figure 36 is a view, similar to Figure 34, with the parte in the positions indicated in Figure 33; and

Figure 37 is an end view of the end of the ring setting machine.

In the drawings, referring particularly to Fig ures l, 5 and 6, the reference numeral 2 indicates a base rigidly supporting an upstanding post 3. A triangular shaped bracket 4 comprises two T- lshaped members 5 and 3 welded at their meeting ends to each other and to a journal block 1. The other ends of members 5 and 6 are welded to blocks and 9 which are apertured tb slide over post 3, and are rigidly connected by a tubular section l0 slightly larger in diameter than post 3. The bracket 4 is secured i'n place by means of `let scrsews 3' and 0' which `extend through blocks and :A shaft H rotatably mounted 'in the Journal block 1 has pulleys I2 and I3 keyed thereto on opposite sides of the block 1. A motor 14, mounted on member 6, drives the pulley I2 by means of a belt I5. The belt I5 moves around the pulleyr I2 and another pulley I2' keyed to a shaft 14 projecting from the 'motor i4. A pulley I6, similar to the pulley I3, is mounted on a shaft I'l.

The shaft I1 is 4rrlounted on a supporting bracket IB which is secured to the post 3 adjacent its upper end by set screws. An endless conveyor belt I9 ls renounted for rotation around the pulleys I3 and I A plurality of angular fins is riveted to the conveyor belt I3 at regularly spaced intervals. A channel shaped member 2| positioned adjacent one half the conveyor belt I9 has its lower end supportedby a bracket 22 mounted on a post23. The post 23 is mounted on `the member 5, The upper end of the channel2l ls supported by a bracket 24. The bracket 24 is mounted on an arm 25 carried by the bracket I3. The channel shaped member 2I has upstanding side walls 23 which projectabove the opposite edges of the conveyor belt V15.

The purpose of the conveyor belt is to rturh rings that are not aligned properly for e sbsequent ring setting loperation to a hopper, hereinafter described The fins 2i] project far enough above the conveyor belt I9 so as to retain rings dropped thereon and carry them to the upper end of the conveyor and then dump them into the hopper as rotation of the conveyor belt around the pulley I5 causes the iins to point downwardly. The side walls 25 prevent the rings from falling ofi` the edges oi the conveyor belt before the b elt reaches pulley I6. A guardarrlerlfibegl 21 is pivotally mounted on a rod 25 extenilingl between the side walls 26 adjacent their lower end to prevent the rings from falling off the conveyor belt before they are engaged by the flns 23.

A collar 29, mounted on the post 3 just above the block 3, is fixed in lositibh by means of set l'screws 33. A bracket 3|, welded to the e'ollar 29, extends outwardly at right angles to the post 3, and carries a stud 32 projecting upwardly, paral- `lel to the post 3. A collar 33, similar to the collar 23, has a bracket 34 which carries a stud 35 aligned with stud 32 and extending downwardly. A post 35 has an end portion 31 of reduced thickness reslliently mounted in a heavy coiled spring S3 which enclrcle's `the stud 32. The upper end of th' 'post 35de also reduced in thickness, as indicated at 33, and is similarly mounted in a spring 40 encircling the stud 35.

VA hopper 4I is mounted on a support 42 which hluls a collar 43 secured to the post 36 by means of a set screw 44. The hopper is adapted to' receive rings from the original saune of *Supply as well as rings already red from the hopper and not properly aligned for the ring 'setting eration which are returned to the hopper by the conveyor belt I9. An inclined pan 45, extending under the upper end of the conveyor belt I9, is secured to the edge of the hopper '4I adiacent its open upper end. so that rings dropping from the upper 'end of the conveyor will land ln the pan 45 and slide into 'the open end of the hopper. The pan 45 is provided with upstanding side walls 43 to prevent the rings from bouncing out of the pan when they vfall from the conveyor;

Referring to Figure 8, the front wall 41 of the hopper is cut away at its bottom to 'form an opening I8. The front wall 41 also has an cloni gated slot 43 extending vertically 'along ra por: tion of the front wail. A panel Vof the same width as the front wall 4 1, is slidably mounted adjacent the inner surface of th iront wail. A stud 5I, secured to the panel 50, projects through the slot I9 and limits the sliding movement of the panel to the length of the slot. The vstud is threaded into a nut 53 and can be tightened against the front wall 41 to hold the panel in any desired position to regulate the `size of the u'ncovered portion of the opening '48. An 'enlarged head 54 on the front end of the stud 51 facilitates turning the stud 5i and also facilitates sliding movement of the panel to any desired position Within the limits of its travel. i v

n plate 55 is mounted on a rod extending across the hopper adjacent the bottom of the rear wall 51. The rear edge 'of the plate i5 is spaced above the bottom of the hopper a sufficient distance so that the rings coming down through the hopper will be directed towards th opening 48 'and will not get Stuck in the lowel'f rear corners of the hopperI The front end of the plate 55 extends through the opening 43 and is curved upwardly, as indicated at 58, to control the flow of rings from the hopper; The plate 55 is substantially the same width as the bbttom wall 53 of the hopper.

A spillway Ell has its rear end hinged adacent the front edge of the bottom wall 53. The' {spillway is preferably provided with a plurality bf spaced ribs 6I projecting upwardly therefrom to spread the flow of rings rnore or less uniformly over the surface of the spillway. The arrangement of the ribs El is shown more clearly in Figure l0. The spillway is provided 'with side walls 52 the upper rear edges oi which are provided with arcuate slots 53. A rod 54 mounted in the hopper 4I adjacent the front. wall 41 has its ids passing through the slots. A screw at each end can be tightened to secure the side walls to hold the spillway at any desired angle. The rings are fed from the hopper by means of vibrations. the source of which will be hereinafter described.

A feeding chute 65 has its upper end extending under the end of the spillway so that the rings will fall from the lower end of the spillway on to the upper portion of the feeding chute. As shown in Figure 5, the feeding chute is in clined laterally to make it parallel to the aligning tube, hereinafter described. The feeding chute has side walls 66 and a plurality of upstanding ribs 61 extending longitudinally. The ribs 61 are spaced apart a distance proportional to the size of the rings to be set. The ring 60, shown in Figures 3 and 4 has a lug B9 projecting from one end and its opposite end10 is notched in conventional manner. The spacing between the ribs 61 is approximately equal to the lateral distance between the ends 69, 10 and the outermost portion of the ring, indicated at 1| in Figure 4. This spacing of the ribs causes the rings to move down the feeding chute 65 longitudinally, with either end foremost, instead of haphazardly, as on the spillway.

Each individual chute, between adjacent ribs 61, is slotted longitudinally adjacent its lower edge, as indicated at 12. The slot is on the downward side of the chute, and the bottom of the chute adjacent the slot is bent downwardly, as indicated at 13 in Figure 9, so as to provide space for the rings to slide through. The same vibratory means that causes the rings to be moved from the hopper 4| and down the spillway 60 "i also shakes the feeding chute 65 to cause the rings to move down the chute and through the slots l2.

The upper end of the feeding chute 65 is supported by means of a bracket 14 rigidly secured to the underside of chute 65. The upper end of a link 15 is pivotally mounted on a rod 16 extending between loops 11 on the bracket 14. The link 15 is twisted through an angle of ninety degrees intermediate its length, and its lower portion 19 is positioned in the slotted end 19 of a post 90. The lower portion 18 of the link 15 is provided with an elongated slot 8|. A screw 82 is tightened against the split ends of the post to hold them securely against the link 15. To vary the angular adjustment of the feeding chute 65, the screw 82 is loosened. the chute is adjusted to the desired angularity and then the screw is again tightened. The other end of the post 80 is recessed to t over a stud 83- The stud 83 is welded to a sleeve 84 mounted on the post 36. The sleeve 84 is provided at one end with a collar 05 secured to the post 36 by means of set screws B6. The end of post 80 is provided with a collar 81 having set screws 88 to tighten it against the stud 83.

The lower end of the feeding chute 65 is supported by means of a pair of brackets 89, the upper ends of which are screwed to the underside of the chute 65. as indicated at 90, Figure 8. The lower ends of the brackets 99 are welded to a semi-circular plate 9| which nts around the underside of an aligning tube 92 and is secured thereto by means of set screws 93. The portion of the aligning tube 92 to which the plate 9| is secured is reinforced by a solid rod 94 driven into the end of the tube.

The upper end of the aligning tube 92 .is supported under the slots 12 by means of a pair of blocks 95 and 96. These blocks are secured against opposite sides of the post by a pair lil 6 of bolts 91. The lower surface of the block and the upper surface of the block 96 are grooved, as indicated at 9B and 99 in Figure 9, to fit around portions of the circumference of the post. The upper surface of the block 95 is grooved at right angles to the groove 98, as indicated at |00, to fit around a portion of the circumference of the aligning tube 92. The lower end of the aligning tube is supported by the punch press in a manner hereinafter described.

The bolts 91 also support the upper end of a channel member |0I. The lower end of the channel member |0| is supported by a stud |02 one end of which is threaded into a nut |03 welded to one side of a rectangular frame |04, as shown in Figures 5 and 7. A nut |05 is threaded on the other end of the stud |02 and is tightened against the lower surface of the channel |0 I.

As shown in Figure 7, troughs |06 and |01 are welded to opposite sides of the channel member I0|. These troughs are obviously positioned on opposite sides of the aligning tube 92 and catch all the rings dropping from the feeding chute 65 that do not land on the aligning tube, as well as all those rings landing on the aligning tube that are later displaced from the tube because they are not properly aligned for the subsequent ring setting operation. A transverse runway |00, shown in Figure 5, connects the lower end of the troughs |06 and |01. The same vibratory force that feeds the rings from the hopper 4| causes the rings that have dropped into either trough to pass along the runway |06 and drop onto the conveyor belt I9 under the guard 21 so that they can be returned by the tins 20 to the hopper 4|.

As shown in Figure 5, a supporting bar |09 is welded to the underside of channel member |01, and a plate ||0 depending from the bar |09 is welded to the bar. The plate ||0 has an arcuate slot near its bottom edge. A vibrator i |2, having an arm 3 rigidly secured thereto, is secured to the plate ||0 by means of a pin I I4 which projects from the arm ||3 and is held in the slot |I| by a nut l|5 threaded thereon. The arcuate slot permits adjustment of the position of the vibrator so that the vibrations may be transmitted to all necessary parts of the machine. This includes specifically the hopper 4|, spillway 60, feeding chute 65, aligning tube 92, troughs |06 and |01, and runway |00, since each of these parts is supported, at least in part, by the post 36, as shown in Figure l.

A pair of aligning bars 6 and ||1 is welded to opposite portions of the aligning tube 92, as shown in Figures 8 and l0, and extended out'- wardly in the same plane. The bars IIB and H1 extend under the lower end of the feeding chute B5. As shown in Figure 8, the diameter of the aligning tube is such that rings 68 may straddle the aligning tube with the ends 69 and 10 indiscriminately engaging the aligning bars ||6 and H1. Some of the rings will not straddle the aligning bar, but will either fall into one of the troughs |06 or |01, or will lay en one of the aligning bars ||6 or |1.

As viewed in Figure l0, the aligning tube slopes downwardly to the right. Accordingly, as the -vibrator ||2 shakes the machine the rings 68 move towards the right. Notches IIB and ||9 cut from the aligning bars IIS and ||1 a short distance to the right of the edge of feeding chute 65 cause all the rings not straddling r`the aligning tube 92 to fall into either one oi the troughs |06 or |01. Small ledges |20 and |21 7 are left adjacent the aligning tube' at the notched areas so that ring-e strstddling the aligning tube 'are moved to the right past the notches without being unseated by the vibrations.

The aligning bars H6 and H1 terminate just to the right of notches H8 and H9. As shown in Figure 1l, a pair of aligning bars |22 and |23 is welded to each other and to the end of aligning bar I I1. The aligning bar |22 extends downwordly from the plane of the aligning bar lil as it extends towards the right, and it s welded to the rectangular framev |04, as indicated at |24, Figures '1 and 10. The inner edge of the aligning bar |22 engages the periphery of the align-ing tube 92 along the entire length of the bar. The aligning bar |22 terminates a short distance to the right of frame |04.

The aligning bar |23 extends upwardly from the plane of the aligning bar as it extends to the right, and is also welded to the frame |24. The inner edge of the aligning bar |23 is spaced from the periphery of the aligning tube 92 a distance sufficient to permit passage of the ends 14 of the rings straddling the aligning tube but not sumcient to permit passage of the headed ends 69. The consequence of this arrangement is that the rings G8 that are aligned with their headed ends forwardly,` as viewed in Figure 11, have those headed ends moved upwardly and rearwardly as the vibrations cause the rings to move downwardly towards the right.

A similar pair of aligning bars |25 and |26 is secured adiacenti the opposite side of the aligning tube. The bars |25 and |26 are longer than the bars |22 and |23, and extend all the way to the punch press hereinafter described. The inner edge et the aligning bar |25 engages the periphery of the aligning tube 92 along the entire length of the bar. The inner edge of the aligning bar |25 is spaced from the periphery of aligning tube 62 just as in the oase of the aligning bar |23.

The rings aligned as described above with their headed ends 69 forward, have their ends 10 pro- Jecting between the bar |26 and the aligning tube to engage the bar |25. This arrangement is shown in Figure 13. The rings 68 aligned in the opposite direction have their headed ends moved upwardly and forwardly, while the ends 16 project between the bar |28 and the aligning tube to engage the bar |22.

A bar |21 extending longitudinally of the aligning tube 52. and spaced therefrom the same distance as the space between each of the bars |23 and |26 and the aligning tube, is also welded at its top edge to the frame |04. The bar |21 prevents the rings from crowding on top of each other and also guides the headed ends of the rings to the positions indicated in Figures 14 and l5. The left hand end of the bar |21, as seen in Figure l0, is rounded, as indicated at |23, and then the two branches |23 and |30 converge to a single thickness, as indicated at |3|. The bar |21 is notched. on its underside, as indicated at |52, Figure 1l, just to the right of point |3|, so that the rings having their headed ends aligned as indicated in Figure 12 have their headed ends fall into engagement with the aligning bar |23, and the olpposltely aligned rings have their headed ends fall into alignment with their headed ends in engagement with the aligning bar |28.

The aligning bar |23 is provided with a notch |24 o. short distance to the night o1' the end of aligning ber |22. and to the right oi notch |32.

so that the headed ends oi the rings having their headed ends arranged rearwardly pass through the notch |33 and fall into trough |01 tolse re turned to the@` hopper 4| with the rest of the improperly aligned rings. The removal of these rings from the aligning tubo leaves on the tube only the rings properly aligned for the subsequent ring setting operation. The iront half of the aligning tube 92 is cut away from a pont slightly to the right of notch |33 as shown at 92' in Figure 5. The tube is in the form of a semi-circle, with its concave surface forward. from the point 22 to the punch press.

A plurality of brackets |34, shown in Figures 16, 17 and 18, is welded to the forward edge of the semi-circular portion of the aligning tube 32. The aligning bars |22, |23, |25 and |26 are each secured to these brackets to give them the required rigidity. The bar |22 terminates at its junction with the first bracket |34 to the right of the frame |64. The bar |21 also terminates at its junction with the same bracket, as shown at |21' in Figure 5. The aligning bar |23 ter minates with the second bracket |34 from the right of frame |04, as shown in Figures 16 and 17. A flat bar |35 having one end extending into the aligning tube 92 is bolted to the brackets |34 to add to the rigidity of the structure.

The lower end of aligning tube 92 is welded to one end of a heavy fiat spring |36. The spring |36 is bent into U-shape adjacent its end. as indicated at |31, Figure 16, to give the resilience necessary to permit the vibration of the lower end of the aligning tube. The opposite end o! the spring |36 is bolted, as indicated at |36, to the side of a steel block |39 constituting part of the ring positioning mechanism. As shown in Figure 24, the lower end of aligning tube 62 is provided with a pair of longitudinally extending notches |44 and |4I. A supporting bar |42, tri angular in cross section, is secured to rear surface of the flat spring |36 by screws |42'. The bar |42 is positioned a short distance to the right of the end of aligning tube 92. as viewed in Figure 24, so that a pair of spring tlngers |43 and |44, secured to adjacent sides of the triangular sup porting bar |42, will engage the notches 46 and |4I, respectively. The ends |45 and |43, of the spring fingers |43 and |44, are curved outwardlyv so as to engage the outer edge of the foremost ring 68 in the column of rings aligned on the aligning tube `62. and to retain it against lateral displacement by the pressure of the column of rings urged in its direction by gravity and vibration of the tube 92.

The block |39 is cut out, as indicated at |41 in Figure 27, through approximately half its Width. The end of aligning tube 92 is positioned a. very short distance fromV a recess |46 which extends from the top of block |33 vertically through the entire height of the block. A base |46 which may be integral with the block |33, or may be rigidly secured thereto in any suitable manner, forms a closed bottom for the recess |48-l One side of the recess |48 opens into the out out |41 so that the rings 53 can be moved from the end of the aligning tube 62 into the recess |43. The distance from the end of the aligning tube to the open side of recess |48 is preferably less than the thickness of the ring 66, so that the foremost ring cannot move out oi proper alignment in its passage from the end of tube 92 into the recess |46. A pin |50 projects laterally from the wall |5| which defines the inner side of the cutout |41. The pin |50 extends parallel to the aligning tube and is spaced therefrom a distance slightly greater than the thickness of the ring 68 so that the foremost ring and the next few rings of the column of rings on the tube 82 are held against the surface of the tube by the pin.

The block |39 is also provided with two slots |52 and |53 parallel to each other in the same vertical plane. The slot |52 terminates in the cut out |41 and the wall |5| forms one wall of the slot. The slot |53 extends all the way through the block |39. A groove |54 in the base |49 is positioned immediately under the slot |53. A separator blade |55 reciprocates horizontally through the slot |52, and a positioning blade |56 reciprocates horizontally through the slot |53. The shaft of the separator blade |55 is secured to a link |51, as indicated at |58 in Figure 2'1, and the shaft of the positioning blade |56 is secured to a link |59, as indicated at |60.

A rocker |I, mounted on a shaft |62, has its upper end recessed, as indicated at |63 in Figure 2'?, and its lower end recessed, as indicated at |64. The opposite end of the link |51 fits in recess |63 and is secured to the rocker by a stud |65. The stud |65 is driven tightly into apertures in the upper end of the rocker and passes through an elongated slot |66 in link |51. The link |59 fits in recess |64 and is secured to the lower end of the rocker by a stud |61. The stud |61 is driven tightly into apertures in the lower end of the rocker and passes through a slightly larger aperture in link |59. The rocker |6| is keyed to a shaft |68 which is oscillated by a conventional pneumatic cylinder mechanism. shown diagrammatically in Figure 37, by means of an arm |69 secured to the top of a piston rod |10, as indicated at |1|. The connections of the separator blade |55 and the positioning blade |56 with the rocker |6| are such that the separator blade is retracted as the positioning blade is moved forwardly, and the positioning blade is retracted as the separator blade is moved forwardly.

Normally the stud |65 engages the rear edge of the elongated slot |66.

|12, having one end secured to the stud |65 and its other end to an arm |13 projecting rearwardly from the top of link |51, holds the stud |65 against the rear edge of the slot |66. However. if for any reason the separator blade gets jammed, the positioning blade can still be retracted and the upper end of the rocker wil1 move forward in the slot |66 against the action of the spring. When the positioning blade is retracted, the ring causing the jam will ordinarily i fall to the bottom of recess I 48, and the separator blade |55 will be retracted with the subsequent forward movement of the positioning blade. The spring |12 will move the upper end of the rocker to the rear edge of slot |66. The regular reciprocatory movement of the separator blade and the positioning blade can, therefore, be continued without interruption.

The construction of the forward edge of the separator blade |55 is best illustrated in Figure 24. This forward edge is beveled, as indicated at |14, so that the right hand edge is very narrow. Portions of the right hand edge are cut away to leave two thin prongs and |16 projecting forwardly of the blade |55. The prongs A coiled tension spring i, J

fil)

tive to the tube 92, that they pass between the edge of the foremost ring 68 and the next adjacent ring in the column of rings aligned on the tube 92. The prongs |15 and |16 then engage the spring fingers |43 and |44 and press them forwardly until the curved ends and |46 of the spring fingers aie moved past the ring, and the bevel |14 simultaneously separates the foremost ring form the column of rings by moving it laterally off the end of aligning tube 92 into the recess |48. As the separator blade is retracted, the spring fingers |43 and |44 move back into position and the next ring moves into engagement with the curved ends |45 and |46, to be held at the end of tube 92 until the next forward movement of the separator blade.

A laterally movable block |11 is positioned in a. hollow chamber |18 provided in the block |89. As shown in Figures 22 and 23, block |11 is actuated by a pin |19, the end of which is mounted in an arm which is substantially L-shaped. 'he rear end of the arm |80 extends around the back of the block |39, as shown in Figures 22 and 23. A flange |8| projecting horizontally from the arm |80 fits into a slot |83 in the corner of the block |39 and is fulcrumed thereto, as indicated at |84. A spring seated in a, recess |86, drilled horizontally in the back of the block |39. projects beyond the rear surface of the block and presses against the inner surface of the rear end of the L-shaped arm |88. The shank of a screw |81 threaded in the arm |60 projects into the coiled spring |85.

The spring 85 normally urges the rear end of the arm |80 rearwardly, thereby moving the block |11 to the left as viewed in Figures 29 and 30. A screw |86 projecting through the arm |80, and held in place by a nut |89, limits the inward movement of the block |11. The shaft of the positioning blade |56 has a shoulder |90 which engages the rear end of the arm |80 to move it forwardly, against the action of spring |85. as the positioning blade |56 is moved forwardly.

As the positioning blade |56 moves forwardly, the block |11 is moved to the right, as viewed in Figures 29 and 30, to clear the recess |48. The ring 68, which was separated from the column of rings by the separator blade |55 and moved into the top portion of the recess |48, drops to the bottom of the recess when the block |11 clears the recess |48. The recess |48 is of a depth approximately equal to the lateral distance between the ends 69, 10 of the ring, and its outermost portion, indicated at 1| in Figure 4, so that as the rings drop in the recess |48 the headed end 69 remains upright.

As the positioning blade |56 is moved rearwardly, the block |11 is moved to the left, as viewed in Figures 29 and 30, and pushes the ring 68 from the bottom of recess |48 into the slot |53. The end 10 of the ring is then positioned in the groove |54. Subsequent forward movement of the positioning blade |56 moves the ring out of the slot |53 into the setting die I9|, properly positioned for the ring setting operation. The forward edge of the positioning blade |56 is curved to fit the outer arc of the rings, and is provided with a groove |92 in which the ring is seated during its forward motion. It will be understood that the ring positioning operations which have been described as for a single ring are continuous, and that at every stage there is a ring in each position.

The structure of the setting die is best illustrated in Figures 20, 2l and 28. The setting die l I is a solid steel block having an integral anvil |93 projecting at its rear. The upper portion of the anvil is grooved, as indicated at |94 in Figure 28, to receive the upper portion of the ring. The anvil is of less height than the ring to provide clearance for the ring to be moved upwardly after the setting operation, as indicated at |95 in Figures and 21. When the upper portion of the ring is seated in the groove |94 with the headed end 69 under the punch, the lower end 1w ward end of the groove |54, as shown in Figure 27.

A nut |98 holds the rod |96 in position.

The upper end of the ring being positioned in i the setting die is pushed against a stop member |99. The stop member |99 is pivoted in a recess 209 in the setting die, as indicated at 29|. The pivotal mounting is necessary because the stop member must project above the adjacent surface ot the setting die toprevent the top end of the ringfrozn moving too far forwardlyl and must be ilush with the surface during the setting operation. A coiled spring 2.92., seated in a vertical recess inthe setting die |9|.,.and bearing against the under surface of the stop member, moves the stop member upwardly immediately after the ring setting operation, and holds it up until the next ring setting.. operation. The downward blow of thepuneh press duringthe ring setting operation forces the stop member |99 clown against the action of spring 292.

A prong plate carrier strip203 is pivoted adjacent the top front edge of the setting die |9I, as indicated at 29A. A spring 295, seated on a stud 298 projecting upwardly from a bolster plate (hereinafter described), bears against the carrier strip. 293 and urges it upwardly to the position shown in. Figure 20 between` each ring setting operation. A side plate 291i depending from the carrier stripV 293, hasa foot portion 209 which engages a pin 299,. projecting from theside of the setting die |91, to limit the upward movement of the carrier strip.

A pair of. retaining strips 2|0and 21| secured to the underside of the carrier strip forma guide way for` the positioning of prong plates 2 l2. The carrier strip is recessed abovethe innen edges-ef the retaining strips to provide space for the edges of the prong plate 2|2. The carrier strip has an aperture 2i3 slightly larger indiameter than the punchhead. 2N.A This aperture 2|||` is directly overthertop of anviLand the stop-member |99 holds the headed. end 99. of. the ring in registration with the aperture Whenthepositioning blade |56 moves the ring into engagement with the anvil.

The prong plateY 2|2. is provided with a. plurality of rectangular aperturesll (Figure 31.), into each of which a ring is adaptedV to be set. The prong plate is inserted in theguideway. from the right, as viewed in Figure 3l, and is moved to the left until a pair of notches 2I6, adiacent the center aperture 2|5, is aligned. with a pair of pins 2|`| projecting from a gage bar 213. The gage bar 2|8 has its end bifurcated, as indicated at 2|9 (Figure 37), and turned downwardly to straddle a plate 22|) welded to a rod 22|.

The rod 22| is rotatably mounted in two plates 222 and 223 secured to opposite sides of a bolster plate 224. The bolster plate 224 is secured to the bed 225 of the punch press. A handle 22B secured. to the end of the rod 22| is turned to rotate the rod and totherebyreciprocate the, gage bai.w 21m: in; a: horizontal' When the gage bar' removed re:inwardlyl the pins 2|lwi11 engage the notchesZlS to assure proper positioningA of the prong plate 2|2 for the first ringv setting operation. The rear end of the gage bar 2|8 is supported on a plate 221. Oneend ot the: plate 221 is secured to the bar 2|8 and the other end is securedto the carrier strip 223'.

A different gage 223, operable by engagement or a previously set ring with a stop member 229'. is provided for positioning the prong plate for the second and third ring setting operations. The gaze 223 isv raster and .is more easily operated than the gage bar 218. but the bar 2|B is necese sary because atthe time of the iirst ring setting operation there is no previously set ring to cn:- gagethe stop member 229. The gage 228 audits method of operation are illustrated in Figures 3l to 36, inclusive.

The gage 228 includes a rectangular steel block 239 (Figure 17l and a cover plate 29| secured in spaced relationship by means of bolts 232 and spacers 233. The. stop member 229 is substantially L-shaped, as shown in Figure 31, and is fulcrumed at a point near the base of the L to a. pin 239. The forward end of the stop member 229 is capable of lateral movement between the two front bolts 232. The rear end of the L.- shaped stop member 228 has a pin 23.5 projecting therefrom.

A spring 236,- having one end secured to the pin 235 and its other end to lett hand front holt 2.32, as viewed in Figure 3l, urges the rear end of the stop member 229 forwardly. This spring action causes the front end of the stop member to move to the right whenever the force moving it to the left is released. The cover plate 23| is out away, as indicated at 231, Figures 16 and 31, to provide clearancefor the spring 239. The stop member 229 is provided. with an elongated slot 238 (Figure 31) in which the pin 234 projects. The slot 2.33 permits rearward movement of the stop member 229, and the spring 236 moves the stop member forwardly whenever the force pushing it to the rear is released.

In Figure 31- the prong plate is shown in solid lines in position for therst ring setting operation with the Vpin 211 inV engagement with the centrally disposed notches 216. After the rst ring hasbeen set thefprong plate 242 is moved manually to the dottedline position with the ring 63, which has just been set. pressing the stop member 229 to the lefta-nd the icarrier strip 203 in its upper position.V This positionA is shown in side elevation in Figure 34. The downward. movement ofY thepunchpress (hereinafter described) presses the carrier plate 293 downward to the position shown in Figures 32 and 35 and sets the second ring..

The downward movement of the carrier plate releases the previously set ring 68 from engagement with the stop member 229. and the spring 236v moves the stop member from the dotted line position of Figure 32 to the solid line posit-ion. As the carrier plate 293 moves upwardly, immediately after eachoiV the second and third ring setting operations, the outer periphery of the previously set ring E9 engages the stop member 229 to move it rearwardly, as shown in Figures 33 and 36. As soon as the prong plate 2|2 is moved to the left the ring 68-clears the stop member 229i The spring 2361 then moves the stop member to theA night, back toits original position shown in solid lines in. Figure 3l.

The constnwtion of the punch press is con- 13 ventional and will not be described in detail. The general features are shown best in Figures and 37, and the interior construction is shown best in Figures and 21. The punch press includes a punch 2 I 4 and a punch holder 239. A set screw 240 holds the punch in the holder. The holder 239 has a pair of elongated recesses 24| in which the headed upper ends of a pair of bolts 242 are positioned. The lower ends of bolts 242 are screwed into a pressure pad 243 having an aperture 244 through which the punch passes for each ring setting operation.

The pressure pad 243 is positioned directly over the carrier plate 203 and moves it downwardly, from the position of Figure 20 to the position of Figure 2l, as the punch is moved downwardly to set a ring 68 of the prong plate 2|2. A pair of heavy coiled springs 245 encircling the bolts 243 between the pressure pad 243 and the punch holder 239 cushion the shock of the blow by which the punch sets the headed end of the ring in the prong plate.

The bed 225 of the punch press is bolted to a table 246, as shown at 241, Figures 5 and 37. The

bed 225 has an integral pair of side members 248 .I

projecting upwardly therefrom. An L-shaped arm 249. fulcrumed at the upper edges of the side members 248, as indicated at 25|), acts through a link 25| pivoted thereto to move the punch holder 239 and the punch 214 downwardly to set the rings. The punch holder 239 is rigidly secured to a ram 252 to which the other end of the link 25| is pivoted. The ram 252 slides vertically in guide ways provided in a pair of plates 253 secured to the front of the members 248 by bolts 254.

The arm 249 moves the punch upwardly to clear it from the carrier plate 203 so that the prong plate 2| 2 can be moved laterally after each ring setting operation to position for the next ring setting operation. The distance between the last ring and the end of the prong plate is less `than the distance between the stop member 229 and the end of the carrier strip 203. Therefore the end of the prong plate clears the carrier strip before the last set ring engages the stop member as each prong plate is moved to the left after the last ring setting operation. This arrangement facilitates the removal of each prong plate from the machine after the last ring has been set therein.

As shown in Figure 37, vertical movement of the arm 249 is controlled by a piston rod 255 operated by a pneumatic cylinder 256. The cylinder 256 is controlled by a valve 251 which is actuated by a foot lever 258. A link 256, pivoted to the arm 249, as indicated at 266, is connected at its lower end to an arm 26| through an elongated slot 262, as shown at 263. The arm 26| is pivoted at one end to one leg of the table 246, as shown at 264. The other end of the arm 26| engages a lever 265 to actuate a valve 266. The valve 266 controls the flow of air to a pneumatic cylinder 261 which operates the piston rod |10. As previously mentioned, the pneumatic system is conventional, and therefore the connection between the valves and the cylinders is not shown.

Although we have described a preferred embodiment of our invention in considerable detail, it Will be understood that the description is intended to be illustrative, rather than restrictive, as many details of structure may be modified or changed without departing from the spirit or scope of our invention. Accordingly, we do not desire to be restricted to the exact structure de- 14 scribed, except as limited by the appended claims.

We claim:

l. A ring setting machine comprising a punch press, a setting die positioned under said punch press, a prong plate carrier strip secured to said setting die, said carrier strip being adapted to hold a prong plate in a plurality of laterally spaced positions, a hopper for holding a supply of ring sections, a chute adjacent said hopper, an aligning tube leading from said chute to said punch press, and a. vibrator operable to move ring sections from said hopper through said chute, on to said aligning tube, and along said aligning tube into predetermined position adjacent said punch press, said punch press being engageable with ring sections held in said predetermined position to set them in said prong plate.

2. A ring setting machine comprising a punch press, a prong plate carrying strip positioned under said punch press, said carrier strip being adapted to hold a prong plate in a plurality of laterally spaced positions, a hopper for holding a. supply of ring sections, a chute adjacent said hopper. an aligning tube leading from said chute to said punch press, a vibrator operable to move ring sections from said hopper on to said chute. from said chute on to said aligning tube, and along said aligning tube to the opposite end of said aligning tube, and positioning means adjacent said last mentioned end of said aligning tube operable to move ring sections individually from said aligning tube into predetermined position in said punch press, said punch press being cngageable with ring sections held in said predetermined position to set them in said prong plate.

3. A ring setting machine comprising a hopper holding a plurality of rings in haphazard arrangement. an aligning tube extending laterally and downwardly from said hopper, vibratory means for feeding a plurality of rings from said hopper onto said tube, means on said aligning tube for aligning a portion of said rings for a subsequent ring setting operation, said vibratory means being effective to feed said properly aligned rings along said aligning tube towards the lower end of said tube. and means for returning all rings not properly aligned for said ring setting operation from said aligning tube to said hopper.

4. In a ring setting machine, a hopper holding a plurality of rings in haphazard arrangement, a chute having one end positioned under said hopper, an aligning tube having one end positioned under said chute, and a vibrator` operable to shake said hopper, chute and aligning tube to cause rings to move from said hopper, down said chute, on to said aligning tube, and along said aligning tube into position adjacent the end of said tube.

5. In a ring setting machine, a hopper holding a plurality of rings in haphazard arrangement. a chute having one end positioned under said hopper, an aligning tube having one end positioned under said chute, a vibrator operable to shake said hopper, chute and aligning tube to cause rings to move from said hopper, down said chute, on to said aligning tube, and along said aligning tube, and an aligning bar adjacent said aligning tube and extending longitudinally thereof in progressively Varying angular relationship thereto to progressively move said rings from the initial position assumed by said rings on said aligning tube to a predetermined position adjacent the end of said tube.

6. In a ring setting machine, a downwardly inmaar clined aligning tube, means for positioning a plurality of headed rings on said tube with the headed ends ihdiscrirni ate'ly 'on either side oi mid tube, means for moving said ring-t alena said tube, a pair of aligning bars extending lengt tudhally of said tube with the inner` edges of said bars substantially in contact with the lower portion of the outer surface of said tube, said aligning bars engaging the unheaderl ends of said rings, and a second pair of aligning bars extending longitudinally of said tube secured adjacent the upper portion of the outer surface at o distance therefrom suiiicient to allow the unheaded 'portion of said rin-gs to pass between sai-d bans and said tube, but not suiiicient to permit passage of said headed ends. said lower aligning bars being twisted from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position at the bottom of the periphery of the tube, said upper aligning bars being twisted from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position at the top of the periphery of the tube, whereby rings moved along the tube will have their headed ends engaging one olf said upper aligning bars and their opposite ends passing between said one upper aligning bar and the periphery of the tube to engage the adjacent lower aligning bar.

'i'. In a ring setting machine, a hopper for feeding rings onto a. chute, said chute being slotted adjacent one end, an aligning tube having one end positioned under said chute, a vibrator shaking said hopper, chute and aligning tube to cause rings to move from said hopper, down said chute, and along said aligning tube, an .e

aligning bar adjacent said aligning tube for progressively moving said rings through an arc of approximately ninety degrees from the position assumed by said rings as they move on to said aligning tube to a predetermined position adjacent the end of said tube farthest removed from said chute, means for displacing from said aligning tube all rings improperly positioned for subsequent alignment, and a conveyor for receiving said improperly positioned rings and returning them to said hopper.

8. In a ring setting machine, a hopper holding a plurality of rings in haphazard arrangement, a chute, an aligning tube having one end positioned Vadjacent the lower end of said chute, a. work station adjacent the other end of said aligning tube, a. vibrator operable to shake said hopper, chute and aligning tube to move said rings from said hopper toward said work station, an aligning bar cooperating with said aligning tube to progressively change the peripheral position of said rings relative -to said aligning tube as they are moved thcrealong until they reach a predetermined position adjacent said work station, a separator blade Yoperable to successively move said rings into said work station, and a gage for facilitating the positioning of a prong plate over a ring positioned in said work station.

9. In a ring setting machine, a. downwardly inclined aligning tube, a, downwardly inclined feeding chute extending at right angles to said aligning tube and having its lower end transversely inclined to lie in a plane parallel to the top surface of said aligning tube, said chute having a plurality of slots positioned directly above said aligning tube, and means for feeding rings from said chute onto said aligning tube.

10. In a ring setting machine, a hopper, a. spillway inclined downwardly from the bottom of said hopper, a downwardly inclined feeding chute having its upper end positioned under the lower end of said spillway, a downwardly inclined aligning tube having its upper end parallel to and below the lower end of said chute, o vibrator shaking said hopper. spillway, chute and aligning tube to feed Vrings from said hopper along said spillway, chute and aligning tube, means on said chute to align said rings in a general longitudinal direction, and a, plurality of slots adjacent the lower end of said chute, the p01- tions of said chute adjacent said slots being bent downwardly to facilitate positioning of said rings on said aligning tube as they slide through said slots.

11. In a ring setting machine. an aligning tube adapted to receive a column oi' rings, a separator blade operable to move the end ring laterally olf said aligning tube, a block having a. recess adjacent the end of said aligning tube, recess having a closed bottom, said end ring dropping to the bottom of said recess, a second block positioned in said first block on one `sido of the bottom of said recess, a. positioning blade on the opposite side of the bottom of said recess and spaced rearwardly thereof, said second montioned block moving said ring laterally trom the bottom of said recess into a position forwardly ol said positioning blade, and means vfor moving said positioning blade forwardly to more said ring into predetermined position forwardly or said block.

l2. in a ring setting machine, an aligning tube adapted to receive a column ol' rings, a Punch press, a separator blade operable to move the end ring laterally off said aligning tube, a block havmg a recess adjacent the end of lsaid alignmg tube, said recess having a, closed bottom, said ring dropping to the bottom oi' said recess, a second block positioned in said rst block Jon one side of the bottom of said recess, a positioning blade on the opposite side of the bottom ci said recess and spaced rearwardly thereof, said v second mentioned block moving laterally to move said ring from the bottom of said recess into fa position forwardly of said positioning blade, said laterally movable block in its last `mentioned position preventing the movement of the next successive ring to the bottom of said recesslmcans for moving said positioning blade forwardly to move said end ring into predetermined position Linder the punch of said punch press, said laterally movable block returning to its initial position as the positioning blade is moved forwardly 'to permit movement of the next successive ring to the bottom of said recess.

13. In a ring setting machine, an aligning ltube adapted to receive a column of rings, a punch press, a separator blade operable to remove the end ring laterally oir said aligning tube, a block having a recess adjacent the end of said aligning tube, said recess having a closed bottom. said end ring dropping to the bottom of said recess. a. laterally movable block on one side of said recess. a positioning blade on the opposite side of the bottom of said recess and spaced rearwardly thereof, said laterally movable block moving said end ring laterally from the bottom of said recess into a position forwardly of the positioning blade, and means for moving said positioning blade forwardly to move said ring into predetermined position under the punch of said punch press, said separator blade, laterally movable block'and positioning blade 'being synchro- 17 nized so as to assure continuity oi operation on successive rings.

14. In a ring setting machine, ring positioning means comprising a block provided with a pair of horizontal slots aligned vertically with each other and a vertical recess contiguous to one side of said slots. a separator blade reciprocable in one of said slots, a positioning blade reciprocable in said other slots, and a second block laterally movable in said iirst mentioned block transversely across the lower portion oi said vertical recess.

15. In a ring setting machine, ring positioning means comprising a block provided with a pair of horizontal slots aligned vertically with each other and a vertical recess contiguous to one side of said slots, a separator blade reciprocable in one of said slots, a positioning blade reciprocable in said other slot, a second block laterally movable in said iirst mentioned block transversely across the lower portion of said vertical recess, means synchronizing the movement of said blades and said second mentioned block. and means stopping the inward movement of said second mentioned block at the side of said vertical recess contiguous to the side of said slots.

16. In a ring setting machine, ring positioning means comprising a block provided with a pair of horizontal slots aligned vertically with each other and a vertical recess contiguous to one side of said slots, a separator blade in one of said slots having a shank projecting rearwardly of said block, a positioning blade in said other slot having a shank projecting rearwardly of said block, and a rocker secured to both of said Shanks and operable to reciprocate said blades alternate- 1y in opposite directions.

17. In a ring setting machine, ring positioning means comprising a block provided with a pair of horizontal slots aligned vertically with each other and a vertical recess contiguous to one side of said slots, a separator blade in one of said slots having a shank projecting rearwardly of said block, a positioning blade in said other slot having a shank projecting rearwardly of said block, a second block laterally movable in said first mentioned block transversely across the lower portion of said vertical recess, a rocker secured to both of said Shanks and operable to reciprocate said blades alternately in opposite directions, means on one of said Shanks effective to move said second mentioned block in one lateral direction during one stroke of said one shank, and

means for moving said second mentioned block in the opposite direction during the opposite stroke oi said one shank.

18. In a ring setting machine, a setting die, an anvil projecting from said setting die, a groove in said anvil to receive one portion of a ring, and a stop member engageable with one end of a ring seated in said groove to help position said ring, said stop member being pivoted in said setting die.

19. In a ring setting machine, means for aligning a plurality of rings, a punch press having an anvil shaped to receive a ringl ring positioning means for moving a ring from said aligning means to said anvil, a prong plate carrier mounted in said punch press, and gage means adjacent said carrier, said gage means engageable with an apertured prong plate slidably mounted in said carrier to facilitate sequential lateral posi- 18 tioning of said prong plate in a plurality of predetermined positions relative to said anvil, each of said positions of said prong plate being effective to align one of its apertures with a ring positioned on said anvil.

20. In a ring setting machine, a prong plate carrier, means for sequentially setting a plurality of rings in a prong plate mounted in said carrier, and a gage, said gage engaging a. previously set ring to facilitate lateral positioning of a prong plate for the next ring setting operation.

2l. In a ring setting machine, a prong plate carrier, a gage for facilitating lateral positioning of a prong plate in said carrier for the initial ring setting operation, and a separate gage engageable with previously set rings for setting of succeeding rings in the saine prong plate.

22. In a ring setting machine, a prong plate carrier, and a gage facilitating lateral positioning of a prong plate in said carrier, said gage including a stop member movable in two directions in a horizontal plane by engagement with a ring set in said prong plate, and a spring operable to move said stop member back to its initial position from either displaced position automatically upon disengagement of said ring from said stop member.

23. A ring setting machine comprising a work station at which properly positioned rings are set in a prong plate, a hopper for holding a plurality of rings in haphazard arrangement, a tube slanting downwardly from a point adjacent said hopper to a point adjacent said Work station, means for moving rings from said hopper on to said tube, means for moving said rings on said tube towards said work station, means for removing from said tube al1 rings not positioned properly for the ring setting operation before said rings reach said work station, and an endless conveyor belt for returning to said hopper all rings removed from said tube by said last mentioned means.

24. In a ring setting machine, a hopper for holding a plurality of rings in haphazard arrangement, a tube extending laterally and downwardly from a point adjacent said hopper, means for moving rings from said hopper on to said tube, means for moving said rings along said tube, means intermediate the length of said tube for removing from said tube all rings not positioned properly for a subsequent work operation on said rings, and an endless conveyor belt for automatically returning to said hopper all rings removed from said tube by said intermediate means.

EDW. F. BUENGER. RALPH R. UHRMACHER. EREMELDO CAIRELLI. GEORGE J. RUNDBLAD.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 450,482 Coxe Apr. 14, 1891 1,187,114 Von Lieven June 13, 1916 1,863,314 Phelps et al June 14, 1932 2,186,652 Orth et al. Jan. 2, 1940 2,327,849 Wolfe Aug. 24, 1943 2,337,667 Kuehlman Dec. 28, 1943 2,360,991 Ward Oct. 24, 1944 2,528,779 Pinney Nov. 7, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 577,028 Germany May 22, 1933 

